Hello. I recently got my first brb and got a few super nooby and simple Q&A. Please help my with alteast one if you can.
1. I've always kept it warm in my house(80-85). It just so happens that brbs like that temp. If I keep my house 80-85 24/7, does he still need heaters? Of is a 78-82f tank+90% humidity fine?
If your house is truly kept in the low 80s you will be just fine. Many professional herpers are now detailing how they keep their herps at a constant 81-82 degrees, with no added hot spots. People are actually finding that it helps reduce occurrences of RI. BRBs especially do not need intense heat to thrive. Anything over 85 can become deadly to them actually. Make sure that you do not get hotter than this.
2. I just read that BRBs don't need lighting like other reptiles? True? If so, I might remove the night light but keep the daylight
By lighting do you mean UVB? Boas and pythons do not require UVB. Snakes actually prefer dimly lit areas to feel safe. No bright basking bulbs are necessary.
3. Skittles is about 18in long and pen thickness. Unsure on his age but I would guess only a few weeks, right?
Yes likely a couple weeks to a couple months.
4.I feed Skittles for the first time yesterday. I read that it can be hard to get them to eat but skittles attacked the pinkie as soon as I lowered it into the feeding tank. Happy, hungry, or just a heavy eater? Should I feed him more if he is so into it?
I have never had a hard time feeding BRBs, they usually have a solid feeding response. Only feed one appropriately sized prey item once a week.
4b. He failed the first attempt to eat the pinkie. He tried to eat it long ways. lol. Guessing he is new to feeding. I picked up pinkie mice, but pinkie rats might be a better size for him. should I feed him 2 at a time then switch to rats?
Stick with one pinky and then move to rats. Rats are always a better choice to switch to asap in my view.
5. Does Environmental stuff effects his color and/or rainbow shine? Like food or humidity?
Food choices do not affect the color. Unless he is malnourished. Humidity needs to be 90%+ at all times when they are young. Once they are older you can keep them at 60% ish.
6. Tonight, He held his mouth wide open for a few seconds. Only did it that one time. Whats that about?
Some snakes just do this. It can be a sign of aggression towards impending danger, resetting their jaw after eating, or just random behavior.
7. How many teeth do brb have?
No clue. Google it.
8. He scares off into space about sometimes with head angled 45% above the horizon. Guessing that's a hurting pose? I looked up stargazing and that's snakes bending all about and looking up, right?
From what I know, stargazing is when a snake situates its head straight up, 90 degrees to horizon. Even at that it isn't always a sign of disease. Some snakes take on poses like this from time to time. If it persists, you might need to see a vet.
9.I normally grab him from behind but i grabbed him from infront a few times too. Which is better?
I have been utilizing some form of hook training for all my snakes, regardless of size. When I open the enclosure I have a paper towel roll ready. I first let the snake see me, and the paper roll. I then gently rub the snake with the roll, and then confidently pick up the snake. I usually only do this if the snake seems agitated or in feed mode. If the animal doesn't seem to notice you when you open the enclosure, you can usually slowly reach in, gently touch the snake, then pick it up. Hook training is primarily used for large snakes, but it doesn't hurt to get most snakes used to it.
10. He is brown and bright gold irl but looks orange and sometimes red, in pictures alot. Is this all brbs?
Yes, most BRBs go through various changes in color as they grow.
Last one for now.
11. I'm so paranoid of RI. The humidity in the tank is 80-90, while the temp is 80-82. Is that fine? He is eating and exploring, so I'm guessing he is happy right?
Seems good. If you can manage to get the humidity up to 90%+ that will be best. As long as the snake is eating, shedding and growing you are all good.
12.Got any random tips for me?
Handle him often so you have a manageable adult in a few years. Never let his water source dry up. Having access to drinking water is almost more important than enclosure humidity levels.
PIC TIME YOU EARNED IT!!!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
He curled around my middle fingers and chilled in my palm for about a hour while watching TV
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
he tied himself up
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
The wide mouth thing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B07...ew?usp=sharing
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Originally Posted by beefieee
